The gist is that the stress fracture in her back has compromised her season and possibly also her career (hopefully the writer isn't overdramatizing here, but I suppose it's a reasonable statement). Paraphrasing Mike Slipchuk's comments - SC was planning to meet with her the following week to discuss her situation. He says the new rules (minimum score requirements) are hard for her (i.e. because she's missing the GP season and won't get a chance to earn minimum scores) and he understands she may be thinking seriously about her future.

The gist is that the stress fracture in her back has compromised her season and possibly also her career (hopefully the writer isn't overdramatizing here, but I suppose it's a reasonable statement). Paraphrasing Mike Slipchuk's comments - SC was planning to meet with her the following week to discuss her situation. He says the new rules (minimum score requirements) are hard for her (i.e. because she's missing the GP season and won't get a chance to earn minimum scores) and he understands she may be thinking seriously about her future.

It's very sad... When, in 2010, se placed 5th at Worlds, and then 4th at both her GPs and won the national title in 2010-2011, everyone was considering her a top-level skater, a contender for at least the top-ten at Worlds, now she won't probably qualify for 4CC, Worlds or Olympics, and (from what you wrote) she's considering retirement, what a sad way to end a career after that exploit in 2010...

The article has a pessimistic tone, but she hasn't made any announcement, so maybe she will still decide to continue.

It's a shame that she became injured at this point. She hasn't had a chance yet to see what her coaching change to Orser can really do for her skating. But OTOH she is around 24 years old and may be looking at her career after skating. I wish her the best whatever she decides.

It is a sad way to end a career, but the fact is Cythnia's career peaked in the 2009-2010 season (3 years ago). Cynthia's performances over her last two seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012) have gradually deteriorated, culminating in losses to Lacoste at both Canadians 2012 and 4CC 2012.

I look at it from a different perspective. Cynthia has two Canadian titles to her name, and she should feel proud that after winning her first title at a young age, she kept fighting through the challenges she faced as she grew and her body matured, to make it to the Olympics in 2010, finish 5th at Worlds that year and recapture her national title in 2011.

These are excellent career accomplishments and she can move on to new challenges (whenever she decides) with a strong sense of pride in what she's achieved as an athlete.

Hmm, I wish we knew the rules for the team competition. Looks like Amelie is Canada's best hope for world's and only realistic shot. Osmond is young and still developing and who knows if last year was a fluke. I had high hopes with Cynthia. But maybe Canada could manipulate the rules if we knew what the rules were for the Olympic team competition. It may be possible to manipulate the situation so that if Canada has only 1 spot for ladies they could use it for someone else and have Joannie Rochette as no. 2 and she could then still compete in the team competition if the rules allowed it. I think the rules say you have to skate in the individual event of course if there is only one spotand she was th e back up it may allow her to skate as no. 2 Canadian woman and then help Canada to medal as a team.

Hmm, I wish we knew the rules for the team competition. Looks like Amelie is Canada's best hope for world's and only realistic shot. Osmond is young and still developing and who knows if last year was a fluke. I had high hopes with Cynthia. But maybe Canada could manipulate the rules if we knew what the rules were for the Olympic team competition. It may be possible to manipulate the situation so that if Canada has only 1 spot for ladies they could use it for someone else and have Joannie Rochette as no. 2 and she could then still compete in the team competition if the rules allowed it. I think the rules say you have to skate in the individual event of course if there is only one spotand she was th e back up it may allow her to skate as no. 2 Canadian woman and then help Canada to medal as a team.

Look past this Olympic cycle and look at 2018. Give the younger skaters time to develop. Some good results on the JGP so far. Hopefully they can continue with the momentum that Osmond started last year. Lacoste will not be around for Olympics 2018. Canada won a medal at WTT with poor performances by Lacoste and Phaneuf. What would be so different at the Olympics? Perhaps Lacoste will build off of SLC. Hopefully Osmond will show last year was not a fluke. If Osmond places ahead of Lacoste at SCI, does that make her the front runner going into Nationals? Hopefully one of the ladies can step up on home soil and get a top 10 in London.

Hmm, I wish we knew the rules for the team competition. Looks like Amelie is Canada's best hope for world's and only realistic shot. Osmond is young and still developing and who knows if last year was a fluke. I had high hopes with Cynthia. But maybe Canada could manipulate the rules if we knew what the rules were for the Olympic team competition. It may be possible to manipulate the situation so that if Canada has only 1 spot for ladies they could use it for someone else and have Joannie Rochette as no. 2 and she could then still compete in the team competition if the rules allowed it. I think the rules say you have to skate in the individual event of course if there is only one spotand she was th e back up it may allow her to skate as no. 2 Canadian woman and then help Canada to medal as a team.

I could swear that the ISU spelled out the official rules for the Olympic team event quite a while ago. (And I do mean the Olympic team event, as opposed to World Team Trophy.)
Some of us here on GS discussed the Olympic rules in detail at the time.
Are you expecting the ISU to revise the Olympic rules -- and if so, when? I don't recall any official indication that they intend to do so. [Wishful thinking is another matter. ]

So far, Osmond is the only Canadian lady to have achieved the minimum TES required to compete at Worlds.

Lacoste didn't make it last season, and she didn't do it at the SLC Senior B because she landed only one combo in her FS.

Even if some more Canadian ladies achieve the minimum, only one can go to Worlds 2013, and it's doubtful any of them can score high enough to earn more than one spot for Sochi.

It is my understanding that just ONE lady can be on the Canadian team for Sochi, and that lady would have to do the team event first, then the individual SP and FS. I don't know how Skate Canada can "manipulate" the rules to allow multiple ladies on the Canadian team so Rochette can do the team event. To even suggest that Skate Canada is in a position to demand special privileges is outrageous.

We don't even know if Rochette is even interested in going to Sochi. Her choice of the Medalwinners event over the more competitive Japan Open would indicate otherwise.

I double-checked, and the name of the ISU document that includes the rules for the Olympic team event is:
"Qualification System for XXII Olympic Winter Games, Sochi 2014" (the one for Figure Skating and Ice Dance, of course -- as opposed to speed skating or short track).
Getting around those rules just does not seem realistic.

I love that the canadian ladies are not always the conventional beauties but Canada loves them each for diversity. Joannie Rochette knows how to maximize her look on the ice, and she moves in such a gorgeous, sophisticated way. Joannie kind of decided she was an ice princess and exudes that je ne sais crois thing...She held her own with the likes of Asada and Kim. So very special. I think Cynthia has such a beautiful face. I wonder where her ancestors come from? I think she has done well in skating, where tiny girls who rotate like tops are prized. Now we have Amelie who I know nothing about except her extraordinary cat eyes captivate me on close ups. I am not much of a fan but things could change.

Who will take Joannie's place? When will a Canadian woman win gold at the Olys? Canada's men, pairs, ice dancers make us proud. I wish Rochette was returning. I'm sure SC wishes same.